With an eye on the Dashain buying spree, automobile dealers have launched a whole array of festive schemes besides rolling out varied new models. Not to be outdone, banks and financial institutions (BFIs) too have put up their stalls to provide convenient auto loans to prospective car buyers.

“With a majority of potential car buyers waiting for the festive period to make their purchases, almost all the companies have launched schemes,” said Shambhu Prasad Dahal, coordinator of the Auto Show.

A total of 50 exhibitors are showcasing their products and services at the show. They include 12 four-wheeler brands and 11 two-wheeler

brands. The show’s organizers are expecting business of around Rs 1 billion at the five-day event. Stalls have been decked up in such a way that they can entice a maximum number of visitors.

People can get information and see newly introduced as well as market leading motorcycles, scooters, hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs besides excavators, automobile spare parts and easy financing services all at the venue.   

Auto dealers say this is the perfect time for buyers to make a decision. Buyers can get firsthand information of the type of vehicles they are looking for, make comparisons and choose the one they want right there.

With leading auto brands such as Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, Skoda, Suzuki, Tata, Toyota, Volkswagen, Bajaj, Hero, Mahindra, Yamaha, Daihatsu, Fiat and Terra all participating, buyers have a wide range of products to choose from.

Automobile dealers have come up with the best of their products and services and the most attractive schemes and offers to woo prospective buyers during the ongoing auto show.

Almost all the companies have launched something or the other to entice prospective buyers eliminating the need for them to negotiate prices and discounts among other issues. On top of that, employees have a sizeable disposable income during Dashain with companies offering bonuses during the period.

Laxmi Intercontinental, authorised distributor of Hyundai Motors in Nepal, is offering cash discounts of up to Rs 5, 00,000 on purchase of its various cars.

Tata Motors’ authorized distributor Sipradi Trading has offered gold, insurance and other free accessories. GO Automobiles, authorised distributor of Ford Motors in Nepal, has launched a scheme entitled Ford Fantastic Offer under which one lucky customer will get a chance to win an Eco Sport SUV as the bumper prize. The company also offers various cash discounts, one-year insurance and three years’ free servicing.

Likewise, customers buying Yamaha motorcycles and scooters will get a flat discount of Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively.

VG Automobiles, authorised distributors of Suzuki motorcycles and scooters, will send two lucky customers to Japan and five customers to Dubai on a free trip besides offering sure shot cash prizes ranging from Rs 8,000 to Rs 100,000.

HH Bajaj, Bajaj’s authorised distributor for Nepal, has launched a scheme named Bajaj Lalpurja under which one lucky customer will get a Brihat Community Living house in Ramkot, Kathmandu. Apart from this, customers will get a chance to win cash prizes of up to Rs 1,00,000.

“Buyers will get attractive deal as they can get all the information such as vehicle prices, discount deals and best interest rates among other details under a single roof,”

said Dahal. Interactions among

visitors and exhibitors at the exhibition can be an important measure of the domestic auto market, its substantial growth and an ideal platform to identify and address different issues relating to the industry, he added.

Rupesh Sharma Bhatta, assistant general manager of Laxmi Intercontinental, said that visitors would get the right information about the various brands, their sales and after sales network under a single roof. “The main aim of the expo is branding and marketing which will provide people all the information about the vehicles they are going to buy,” he said.

He added that though the fair area is insufficient at just 85,000 sq ft, the organisers have managed to get all the famous auto brands to participate.

“As all the companies will be focusing on brand awareness as well as sales and services, customers will be encouraged to buy vehicles during this time,” said Karan Chaudhari, executive director of CG MotoCorp. “We expect 30-40 percent of our total sales to happen during the auto show and the festive season.”

Meanwhile, banks and financial institutions are offering discounts on the processing fee and auto loans at interest rates ranging from 7.39 percent to 12 percent.

Standard Chartered Bank offers a 50 percent discount on the processing fee and auto loans at 7.39 percent to customers who book cars during the expo. NIC Asia Bank offers auto loans at 7.99 percent at the expo.

“As many financial institutions have enough liquidity, they have slashed interest rates on auto loans, seeing the automobile sector as a good investment,” said Chandani Shrestha, business development manager at NIC Asia.

Moreover, people wanting to buy spare parts, lubricants, tyres, generators, garage equipment, batteries and other accessories will also like the Auto Show as they can get these products at a discount.